What is the Northeast Kingdom (vermont)?

There's a corner of Vermont that even most Vermonters don't visit. The Northeast Kingdom — three counties tucked into the state's northeast corner — is closer to Montreal than to Boston, has 64,000 people spread across more than 2,000 square miles of mostly forest, and was one of the first places National Geographic ever officially designated as worth protecting. I went there to run the Dandelion Marathon: a small, dirt-road race held during the three weeks in May when the entire Kingdom turns yellow. This video is less about the marathon and more about the place — the dandelion fields the course winds through, the bluegrass musicians stationed along the route, and the quiet beauty of a region most people will never see. If you've ever wondered what the Northeast Kingdom actually is, or what it looks like in May when the fields bloom, this is for you. — ABOUT THE NORTHEAST KINGDOM The Northeast Kingdom comprises three counties — Essex, Orleans, and Caledonia — in the northeastern corner of Vermont, covering more than 2,000 square miles. About 80% of the region is forested. In 2005, National Geographic designated the Kingdom as one of the world's first geotourism destinations — tourism that sustains rather than degrades a place's environment, culture, and community. ABOUT THE DANDELION RUN The Dandelion Run is held each May in Derby, Vermont, with distances ranging from one mile to a full marathon. The course runs entirely on dirt roads through the dandelion fields of Morgan, Holland, and Derby. Bluegrass musicians are stationed along the route. Vermont Sports Magazine has named it one of the five most scenic running races in the state. Proceeds support Umbrella, a local Northeast Kingdom nonprofit.